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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 09 July 2014, 07:58:28

Title: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 09 July 2014, 07:58:28
How do you guys feel about stacking keyboards??

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 09 July 2014, 07:59:57
It allows you to store a large number of them in a small volume of space.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: Techno Trousers on Wed, 09 July 2014, 08:13:18
Looks like a reasonable storage plan. Just make sure the buckling spring boards are on top. You don't want to leave those keys in a compressed state for years.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Wed, 09 July 2014, 08:14:40
Nope nope nope nope nope.  If I care so little about them as to stack them, I probably don't need them.  And that is not a feeling I have ever had.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 09 July 2014, 08:19:59
I don't think I'd ever have that many keyboards to stack them in such a manner...

I just throw them on a desk, on the floor, on the backseat of my car, etc.

EDIT: This looks like a MW-style thread. :))
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 09 July 2014, 08:27:45
While the photo is definitely a joke, the idea is semi serious.

Like the mention of putting the buckling springs on top.....anyone have an argument against stacking a few mx keyboards on top of one another?

Would it cause switch problems if they remained depressed for a while?
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 09 July 2014, 08:37:13
While the photo is definitely a joke, the idea is semi serious.

Like the mention of putting the buckling springs on top.....anyone have an argument against stacking a few mx keyboards on top of one another?

Would it cause switch problems if they remained depressed for a while?

I would think damage to the springs could be an issue. Also, in the case of Model Ms, the potential for the membrane to get damaged (with the hammers being constantly in contact, and all...)

Oh, and damage to the contact plates in MX/ALPS switches...
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 09 July 2014, 09:53:40
I stack all mine vertically, so the springs are all uncompressed.

oh, and put the G81 keyboards on the bottom, unlike this guy.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: absyrd on Wed, 09 July 2014, 09:57:50
I recall a few threads where people just got the freebie large game boxes from USPS and stacked with them.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: FrostyToast on Wed, 09 July 2014, 10:01:24
I would invest in a $100 shelf to protect my $300 keyboards.  :))
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: Defect on Wed, 09 July 2014, 10:05:43
I bought a pretty nice 3 level shelf off Amazon for maybe 25 bucks.  Meant for shoes but is great for keyboards.  Actually just ordered two more
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 09 July 2014, 17:57:33
Stacking like that would just get the cables tangled.

I do stack mine, but only about 3 at a time (usually something like two Model M on the bottom, Ducky or QFR on the top).  Or HHKB on top.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 09 July 2014, 18:04:18
Does having the key depressed in storage hurt the overall life of the board? I would imagine the spring being under constant pressure makes them feel quite different after a while.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 09 July 2014, 18:09:51
I haven't noticed that mine are depressed.

In fact they seem quite happy to be stacked :))

But seriously, another M and a QFR is hardly sufficient to compress the keys on the lower M.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: johndavis33 on Wed, 09 July 2014, 18:34:13
Stacking them vertically is a good idea.

Also, if you didn't buy them used, keeping keyboards in their boxes for storage will allow you to stack them without taking up too much space.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 09 July 2014, 18:42:24
I'm working on a way to hang them on a clothes hanger (vertically) in a closet. Maybe clamps attached to a clothes hanger. I'm not sure yet. Like I said, I'm working on it. As it is, I keep them in a closet on the top shelf, stacked vertically on their side with feet extended to rest against the case of the keyboard next to it.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: Techno Trousers on Wed, 09 July 2014, 22:55:21
I'm working on a way to hang them on a clothes hanger (vertically) in a closet. Maybe clamps attached to a clothes hanger. I'm not sure yet. Like I said, I'm working on it. As it is, I keep them in a closet on the top shelf, stacked vertically on their side with feet extended to rest against the case of the keyboard next to it.

Interesting! Maybe you could use bungee cords of an appropriate length. Or big loops made from the continuous, cut-to-length hook and loop fastener rolls, though that stuff can be pretty expensive. BTW, assuming you're a dude, don't let any prospective love interests see that closet! ;)

My earlier answer was a bit tongue-in-cheek, though i wouldn't recommend storing any boards with keys compressed. I'm actually using USPS Priority game boxes to store mine, plus I need to start a purging phase soon.
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: IPT on Wed, 09 July 2014, 23:25:24
stack them in boxes =)
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 10 July 2014, 07:24:01
I'm working on a way to hang them on a clothes hanger (vertically) in a closet. Maybe clamps attached to a clothes hanger. I'm not sure yet. Like I said, I'm working on it. As it is, I keep them in a closet on the top shelf, stacked vertically on their side with feet extended to rest against the case of the keyboard next to it.

That is a good idea about extending the legs to act as spacers!

My 'storage' room is out of space and my stuff is literally piled in boxes on boxes on boxes.....its an awful site....poor mashby has been waiting on a few caps from me for months now because I can't find them :facepalm:
Title: Re: Stacking Keyboards
Post by: 1391406 on Thu, 10 July 2014, 12:31:43
Every once in awhile, I'll walk into the closet for something and end up fondling one of the keyboards before I leave.